Back In His Arms

Chapter 15

I am officially 19 years old, but I feel like I am the same Talliah Grace from years ago when I was still 15, 16,17 or even 18.

Everything seems like yesterday.

Parang wala naman nagbago?

Siguro nga totoo yung sinasabi nila na age is just a number. We may be growing physically or mentally but our hearts will forever be young.

I've been looking forward to this day.

My first birthday with him...

Hindi counted yung last year dahil parang 'napilitan' lang naman siya noon.

"Happy birthday Ate!" Gale said and hugged me.

"Ilang beses mo kong babatiin today?" She's been greeting me since the moment that I opened my eyes.

Buti pa siya.

"What's with the face?" She asked while looking at my reflection from the mirror.

"Buong mundo ata nabati na ko! Siya nalang yung hindi."

I waited until 12 am last night hoping that he'll be the first one to greet me pero nakatulog na ako, wala pa rin.

When I woke up, I immediately checked my phone, scanned through my messages but no trace of him.

Seriously?

"Be patient Ate! Pupunta naman siya diba?"

Nagkibit-balikat nalang ako at ikinabit ang aking hikaw. "I invited him."

***

"Ang tanda mo na!" Rap said.

"Thank you sa greeting!" I sarcastically replied.

"Di ka naman mabiro Te! Happy birthday!" She said and kissed me on the cheek.

I look at him with a disgusted face and the both of us laugh in unison.

"Happy birthday Tally!" Naluluhang sabi ni Katherine.

Inabutan naman siya ng tubig at tissue ni Rap at pinaypayan pa.

"Rap, ang OA mo!" She said while wiping her tears with the tissue that Rap has given her.

"Ikaw yung OA! Bakit ka umiiyak? Ikaw ba may birthday? Di ka mang-aagaw ng spotlight for tonight!"

I just hugged Katherine in response.

We've been together since High School and we saw the ups and downs of one another mapa-acads pa yan o personal life.

Noong napalabas si Rap ng class kasi kumakain ng burger.

"What are you doing?"

"Gusto mo Sir with ketchup?"

"Get out!"

Noong nakipag-sabunutan si Katherine sa classmate namin na pinagseselosan ako.

"Ang harot kasi niyang kaibigan mo!"

"Insecure ka lang dahil yang ganda--- oops wala ka palang ganda!"

"What?"

"Di na nga maganda, bingi pa? I pity you."

Noong pare-parehas pinatawag yung parents namin dahil nag-skip kami ng class.

"Saan kayo galing tatlo?" Mommy asked with glaring eyes.

"Di naman po kami umalis ng school." Katherine defended.

"Nasa clinic po kami Mommy."

"And why?"